DISCLAIMER: I do NOT own Naruto. I DO own Kaisuke, Kendo and Lin. Aya Kiriyama belongs to AYA-SAMA3000.
Chapter Three - Where Is My Son?
Kaisuke sailed through the first two stages of the Chunin exam with the greatest of ease. The strength of his chakra being powerful enough on it's own to make the creatures of the Forest Of Death stay clear of him. Just like all other animals, they knew a predator when they felt one and Kaisuke, as far as they were concerned, was definitely one.
Suigetsu cheered on from his seat in the arena. Gaara, who was sitting next to him, had a grin firmly fixed on his face and was cheering just as loudly as, if not louder than, Suigetsu, on the inside of course.
Kakashi was on duty in another part of the village but had told Kaisuke not to worry as he would meet up with them afterwards to find out how he did.
Kaisuke activated his Sharingan as his opponent charged and couldn't help but smirk at the other boy. Frustration was coming off his opponent in waves. Kaisuke knew his opponent wasn't happy at having to face an eight year old. The twelve year old boy was a Hyuga, the son of Neji and Tenten. Kaisuke had known him when he still lived in Konoha, had even played with him when his mother was home.
However, Kaisuke pushed thoughts of friendship aside, now was not the time for those thoughts. This boy was his competition and this was the final match. The winner of this last match would be crowned champion. Kaisuke was determined to follow his fathers footsteps and gain that title for his family once more.
Byakugan was a formidable weapon in battle. Kaisuke was not ashamed to admit that. It was, however, not enough to make Kaisuke concerned about losing though. While his opponent had been trained by the Hyuga Neji and weapons master, Hyuga Tenten, Kaisuke had been personally trained by the only ninja who had ever beaten both of them. On top of that, he had been given one on one training by the Sabaku Gaara and, in many opinions, the greatest ninja ever, the Uchiha Sasuke!
The battle was close. It came to it's end with a full blown Gentle Fist striking at exactly the same time as an extreme Chidori.
The entire arena was on it's feet as smoke, dust and fragments of the arena flew up into the air.
As the debris began to settle, Gaara's increasingly tightening grip was threatening to rip off the hand rail he was holding. His eyes were saucer wide and frantically searching through the smoke for his student.
Suigetsu was just as bad. He had raced down the steps to get even closer to the combat zone and was currently shouting as loud as he could.
"Kaisuke!" he screamed. "Kaisuke, can you hear me? Answer me Champ!"
Slowly, the dust and debris began to clear and the audience released it's collective breath as both boys became visible.
They were both on their backs and neither boy was moving.
A loud, heartbreaking, scream was heard from one of the stands. Suigetsu's head snapped up as his vision locked in on the source.
Neji was trying his best to hold his wife, Tenten, back as she desperately tried to reach their son. Tenten was punching and shoving at him as she fought to get passed. She had to get to her son, he needed her.
Suigetsu glanced around to where Gaara stood. The hand rail in front of him had been reduced to dust and he was now grinding his fists into the wall itself. Suigetsu knew that Gaara, on the inside, was feeling exactly like Tenten. His body gave away nothing, if you ignored the fact that he was ripping a wall apart. It was Gaara's eyes that gave him away. True, there were very few people who could read Gaara's eyes, but those who could, would've been able to see the pain he was enduring at the thought of Kaisuke being hurt.
A small cough from the combat zone grabbed the attention of every audience member. Suigetsu saw Gaara's eyes widening just before he turned his own attention back to the cough.
In the combat zone, one of the boys was struggling to get up. They were coughing and extremely shaky on their legs as they staggered their way back to their feet.
It was Kaisuke!
The arena erupted with cheers and cries of "Champion!". A chant of "Uchiha!" began to build in volume and speed around the arena. Tsunade-sama rose to her feet and announced Kaisuke as the Chunin exam Champion. This in turn, caused more cheers, whistles and shouts of delight.
All the while, an exhausted Kaisuke had struggled his way over to his opponent and, using what his mother had taught him, tried to help his fallen friend. His friend who was still not moving and barely breathing.
Kaisuke had, unfortunately, taken a direct hit of Gentle Fist and his Charka was almost gone. He was screaming out for a medic but the cheers of the audience were drowning him out. He looked up into the audience, found his Uncle Gaara's concerned gaze and sent him a look that he rarely ever used, a look that chilled Gaara to the core.
Kaisuke was desperate and didn't know what to do. Gaara knew that Kaisuke was begging him for help.
"Champion!" "Uchiha! Uchiha!" "Amazing!" "Best match ever!"
The arena was overflowing with never-ending cheers.
"QUIET!"
The booming voice instantly silenced the hyperactive crowd and finally, Kaisuke's calls were heard from the combat zone.
"HELP ME!" he screamed. "HE'S IN TROUBLE!" Kaisuke swayed on his unsteady feet.
"I CAN'T HEAL HIM!" A single tear trickled down his cheek. "I'VE GOT NO…" Kaisuke lost consciousness.
It took less than one second.
Gaara and Suigetsu leapt into the arena and caught Kaisuke as he collapsed. Neji, Tenten and Tsunade-sama leapt into the arena and Tsunade immediately began working on the Hyuga boy.
While still holding Tenten tightly, Neji looked over toward Gaara, who had picked Kaisuke up in his arms and was already several steps away. "Is Kaisuke alright?"
Gaara looked back over his shoulder and locked gazes with Neji. "He drained himself trying to help your son. He'll be fine once he's rested."
Neji bowed his head toward Gaara. "When he wakes up, give him my thanks. If he doesn't make Chunin, you have my name for an appeal."
Gaara nodded his head slightly toward Neji before heading out of the combat zone to get Kaisuke to the medical team.
***
"MY EYES!"
Kaisuke's scream woke both Gaara and Suigetsu. They both raced to their students side, frantic with worry.
"What's wrong?" demanded Gaara.
"What happened?" begged Suigetsu.
Kaisuke reached out trying to find his teachers. "Where are you? I can't see you!"
"Oh… Kami… No!" Suigetsu said. "Sasuke's going to kill us!"
"I'd be more concerned about Sakura." stated Gaara as he tried to check Kaisuke's eyes.
Suigetsu gasped. "Oh Shit! We're dead!"
"Why can't I see?!" demanded Kaisuke, trying his best not to cry, but unsure if he still can.
"I don't know!" stated Gaara, trying hard not to loose his temper in frustration.
Suddenly, Kaisuke gasped happily. His vision was back! "I can see!" he squealed, delighted. He looked up at Gaara and Suigetsu. "How did you fix it?"
"I turned on the light." Suigetsu said as he started chuckling and had to leave the room before he burst out laughing.
Kaisuke's face flushed red with embarrassment and he hid his face in his arms. Gaara gently gripped Kaisuke's shoulders and helped settle his young charge back into the bed he was resting in.
"It's very late, Short Stuff. You still need to rest and recover your strength." he whispered.
"Yeah, Champ." added Suigetsu as he moved back toward the light. "Get a good nights sleep. You became Chunin and exam champion today. Tomorrow…"
"We're going to celebrate!" stated Gaara, motioning for Suigetsu to turn the light off again.
Kaisuke drifted off to a deep sleep, filled with happiness. He sent his usual, silent, nightly thanks skyward for Sasuke coming into his life, for his true family being reunited.
***
"I think I'm gonna be sick!" yelled Suigetsu as the ride went faster.
"Chill out Sui!" squealed the delighted Kaisuke. "Uncle Gaara spins me faster than this!"
"Remind me never to get spun by Gaara!" groaned Suigetsu.
Gaara watched the rollercoaster whizzed around the track and was once again thankful that someone had to hold the stuffed animals Kaisuke had demanded they win for his little sisters.
The carnival hadn't been the original plan but when Kaisuke's eyes had lit up on seeing it, there was suddenly no better way to pamper the youngster.
Flashback
"Kaisuke?" called Gaara as he realised his student had frozen. "What's wrong?"
Hearing this, Suigetsu had immediately scanned the area for possible threats to the young Uchiha. Finding none, he exchanged a glance with Gaara and shrugged.
"Wha… What's that?!" asked Kaisuke pointing just off to the right of where they stood.
Both older men followed his arms direction. "It's a carnival." stated Gaara once he realised what Kaisuke was pointing at.
Kaisuke looked at Gaara with confusion all over his face. "What's a carnival?"
Suigetsu and Gaara exchanged confused looks. "Have you ever been to one before?" asked Suigetsu, cautiously.
Kaisuke shook his head. "I was never allow to go out unless Mommy was there. I've never seen anything like THAT before!"
"That settles it!" announced Suigetsu, earning an approving nod from Gaara. "Carnivals are amazing! There's rides and games and junk food!"
"We promised to celebrate your exam results." added Gaara. "Would you like the carnival to be your reward?"
Kaisuke's hair exploded with pink. His beaming smile shone up at the older men as his head nodded frantically.
End Of Flashback
Gaara held back a chuckle as Suigetsu threw up into a nearby bin. Kaisuke was giggling from his place beside Gaara and pointing at Suigetsu.
"That was not funny!" announced Suigetsu as he righted himself and wiped off his face with the napkin Gaara handed to him. Gaara couldn't hold back his smirk any longer. Kaisuke spotted Gaara's smirk and burst out laughing at Suigetsu once more.
Suigetsu opened his mouth to retaliate.
"AAAAAAAAAAAAHHHHHHHHHHHH!!!! MY CHILDREN ARE UP THERE!"
The panicked scream cut off Suigetsu's words instantly.
All head snapped round to the Ferris Wheel. A man was desperately trying to put out a fire that had erupted from the stand below it.
"GAARA!!! HELP ME!!!"
That caught their attention. The three shinobi raced over to the Ferris Wheel. Suigetsu grabbed another fire extinguisher and joined the fight against the fire.
Ino appeared from nowhere and grabbed Gaara's arm. "Kendo and Lin are on that ride!"
Gaara's entire body chilled at those names. They were Naruto's son and Ino's daughter!
Gaara, ignoring the raging flames, locked his eyes on to the two children in question. His eyes widened in horror as he locked on to the two terrified children's faces. The flames were almost upon them. Ten year old Kendo was trying to shield six year Lin from the heat.
Gaara wasted no time. There was no time to waste. He leapt into the air, dodging the flames as he raced toward the children. Seeing him coming, Kendo almost threw Lin into his arms before climbing onto their rescuers back.
Ino was nearly hysterical when Gaara landed, only lightly singed, beside her. She wrapped her arms around both children and rushed them away from the danger zone.
Gaara, as well as other shinobi who had heard the cries for help, leapt back up on to the Ferris Wheel to save the rest of the screaming children.
Once all twelve children were safely away from the burning ride, one of the ANBU who had come to help, performed rapid hand seals and a powerful water jutsu drenched the entire ride, snuffing out the flames and soaking those who had been trying to hold it back.
Gaara couldn't help it this time, he burst out laughing as a soaked Suigetsu made his way over toward him, wringing water out of his sleeves as he went.
"Ha ha ha." complained Suigetsu as he reached Gaara's side.
"You have to admit, that was funny!" smirked Gaara. "Wasn't it Short Stuff?"
His comment was greeted by silence.
"Short Stuff?!" called Gaara, turning and realising that Kaisuke was nowhere to be seen.
"Champ?!" shouted Suigetsu.
Gaara noticed that there were no children to be seen, anywhere! He grabbed hold of one of the Konoha Jounin. The man glared at him but Gaara ignored it.
"Where are all the children?"
The Jounin's face softened. "Main park office. It's the carnival's safety spot."
The Jounin continued speaking but neither Gaara or Suigetsu heard his words. They were too busy rushing to the Main Park Office.
***
"WHAT?!"
Gaara's booming demand shook the poor office manager to his very core. His face flushed red and his eyes threatened to water as he repeated himself.
"There is no child here by that name."
"KAISUKE!" shouted Suigetsu, ignoring the man's denial. "UCHIHA KAISUKE!"
A little girl tugged at Suigetsu's still damp shirt. When he looked down, he recognised the girl as Ino's daughter Lin.
"Kaisuke went with the other man."
"What man?" asked Suigetsu, trying desperately not to yell at the child.
Lin thought for a moment before looking back up at Suigetsu. "The tall blue man in the black cloak. It had red clouds on it."
Suigetsu's eyes widened. He quickly grabbed a pen and piece of paper and made a rough sketch of what he feared it might be. His fears were confirmed when Lin nodded and added. "The man had a big wrapped up thing on his back."
***
Gaara was frantically searching around the game stalls. "Kaisuke?!" he yelled, only to be greeted by silence each time.
"GAARA!"
Gaara's head snapped up at Suigetsu racing over to him. "Gaara! We've got serious trouble!"
Gaara felt his rage brewing and only barely resisted the urge to strangle Suigetsu for stating the obvious. He frowned at Suigetsu and was about to respond when Suigetsu showed at sketch into Gaara's face.
"Kaisuke's been snatched by…."
Gaara's mind shut down. The words Kaisuke and snatched swirled around his mind as his eyes narrowed on to the rough sketch of an Akatsuki cloak.
***
"…then he even tried to heal him."
Sasuke smiled proudly as Kakashi filled him in on how Kaisuke had done at the Chunin exams. His mission had been relatively short so he had decided to come to Konoha and surprise his son. Bumping into Kakashi had brought him the prefect excuse to spoil the boy in one of Konoha's fancy restaurants.
"Kakashi!"
Kakashi and Sasuke turned to face the men who had just burst through the doors. The first thing Sasuke noticed was, it was Suigetsu and Gaara. The second thing he noticed was, Kaisuke wasn't with them.
"Where's Kaisuke?" he asked, thinking he had gone to play at Ino's or Naruto's as he had on every other visit to Konoha.
The sudden freezing of both men, instantly put Sasuke on high alert. "Gaara? Suigetsu?" he stated trying to stay calm. When Gaara lowered his head, Sasuke's rage exploded.
"WHERE IS MY SON?!"
"The Akatsuki…"
SMACK!
Suigetsu's words vanished as Sasuke's fist collided with his jaw. Suigetsu slammed into the wall behind him and barely managed to stay on his feet. That was one hell of a punch!
Gaara raised his head and locked eyes with Sasuke.
"The Akatsuki set fire to a ride filled with children and snatched Kaisuke while everyone was distracted."
Red, swirling Sharingan stared back at Gaara. "You're sure?" The deathly tone sent shivers up even Gaara's spine. Even Kakashi was unnerved. He had never heard Sasuke so furious before.
Sasuke grabbed Suigetsu and hauled the man back to a steady footing before storming down the corridor, Gaara and Suigetsu with him every step.
"Kakashi!" shouted Gaara just before he followed Sasuke out the main doors. "Contact Aya at Free! Tell her Code Red!"
With that, he turned, and all three men were gone.
Kakashi sighed heavily to himself. He really wouldn't want to be an Akatsuki member right now. They had just pissed off the Uchiha, the one clan that could bring hell with them!
To be continued…
